Dungey takes Anaheim win—Roczen injured

2017-01-22 14:31. By Lance Thruxton

Justin Hill dominates 250s

Round three of the Monster Energy Supercross series dealt the top 450 riders their toughest hand this year and shuffled the points lead in the process. After dodging storms at Anaheim I and San Diego’s round two, a third week of heavy rain changed Anaheim II’s track from tricky to treacherous.

Among the fallen, KTM’s Ryan Dungey and team mate Marvin Musquin each crashed in their respective heats. Both had to ride a Semi Final to qualify for the main event and it wasn’t easy. Musquin won the Semi but Dungey struggled to squeak third place. Series points leader Ken Roczen dominated his heat race just like every race he’s ridden so far this year. After Roczen’s consecutive wins and Dungey –Musquin finishing two–three both times, Lady Luck and Mother Nature had a change in store.

Dungey’s weak Semi placing netted him a miserable 13th starting gate pick. Amazingly he pulled out a second place start and used a tight inside line to pass initial leader Cooper Web. Roczen, seventh on the first lap after a poor start, charged through the field to third attacking the track behind teammate Cole Seely. The track struck back on lap nine. Pushing the limit, Roczen got a bad launch off a triple jump and parted company with his HRC Honda high in mid air. Everybody in the stadium felt the landing impact. He may have gotten off lucky. Late reports indicated a season-ending compound forearm fracture. Medical responders needed significant time to get Roczen stabilized and off the track. Subsequently, the race slowed for multiple laps as an ambulance flag required the field to roll jumps near the accident spot. Dungy rode a conservative lead to the end as track conditions continued to deteriorate. KTM teammate Musquin was able to get past Seely and finish runner up three seconds behind Dungey.

Dungey leaves Anaheim with a seven-point series lead over Musquin with Roczen and Seely tied for third. Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson left Anaheim with zero points after he was disqualified from the main event by officials. Anderson crashed in his heat after dicing with Vince Frieze. Anderson escalated the issue into a physical altercation as both were riding out of the pit tunnel.

Western Region 250s

Kawasaki’s Justin Hill led the hot running 250s wire to wire with Yamaha mounted Aaron Plessinger second and series leader / double winner Shane McElrath on the Factory KTM in third.

Rain was falling again when the last team truck left Anaheim Saturday night. It’s OK. For round four next weekend, Arizona’s University of Phoenix stadium will have a roof. TV coverage will be live on Fox Sports1 starting at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.